Group gives FG ultimatum over electricity tariff

05 August 2013, Lagos – Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has described the new electricity tariff as anti-people and called on President Goodluck Jonathan to instruct the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, to reverse it.

A letter dated August 2, 2013, and signed by SERAP executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, expressed concern over the increased electricity tariff, and threatened international and national legal actions if the government fails and or neglects to reverse the increase within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of the letter.

The organisation added that it would work with civil society, social movements, community organisations and individuals to challenge the development.

“Increasing electricity tariff by over 100 per cent at a time power supply has not improved and indeed remains irregular is not fair. The much promised transformation of the power sector by the government has remained unfulfilled while majority of the citizens continue to face extreme poverty. Rather than arbitrarily increase electricity tariffs, the government should investigate the spending of about $3.5 billion annually on power in the past 10 years, and bring to justice anyone suspected to be responsible for the stealing or mismanagement of public funds,” the organisation stated.